Even as defense planners consider retirement for aging platforms, both the A-10 Thunderbolt II and the Littoral Combat Ship keep proving their value in the Middle East.

Recently the Navy’s 5th Fleet and U.S. Central Command shared images of the USS Santa Barbara conducting live-fire drills in the Persian Gulf, while an Air Force A-10 — better known as a “Warthog” — hovered overhead to help coordinate the exercise.

The event highlighted what officials call “joint air-maritime integration,” a reminder that these aging platforms can still operate effectively together in high-stakes environments. At the same time, it underscored how the military is finding new purposes for equipment that critics expected to be retired years ago.

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The Santa Barbara is one of three Independence-class Littoral Combat Ships deployed to the Persian Gulf, and they carry a nickname that has stuck in some circles: “little crappy ships.”

The ships were designed for coastal operations, yet persistent mechanical challenges and a need for more powerful assets left them with limited traditional roles. Despite that, the Navy is showing that these hulls can still perform when the situation demands it.

In recent months the Navy has embraced the LCS as mine hunters. With the Avenger-class fleet largely out of the region, the three littoral combat ships — Santa Barbara, Canberra and Tulsa — are operating near the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint Iran has repeatedly threatened to mine.

That waterway remains a strategic artery where roughly a fifth of the world’s oil passes daily, keeping the pressure on American forces to maintain readiness and resilience.

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Meanwhile the A-10, though old, remains in the fight. The airframe is legendary for close air support and has a devoted following online for its distinctive sound and rugged reputation.

The Air Force has been phasing out older models in favor of newer fighters and helicopters, yet the Warthog continues to serve with CENTCOM, notably in ongoing operations against ISIS.

In the past months, it has played a prominent role as part of Operation Hawkeye Strike, the continuing effort in the wake of attacks that killed U.S. soldiers in Palmyra, Syria, last December.

Both platforms operate in the Persian Gulf theater, a region where the United States has intensified its presence as tensions with Iran persist. Bilateral talks in Oman loom in the background, but Washington has repeatedly warned that it will use force if necessary to deter Iranian actions. In the meantime, the carrier Abraham Lincoln and its battle group have been shifted into CENTCOM’s area of responsibility, signaling a clear commitment to deterrence and readiness.

The Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration issued new guidance urging U.S.-flag ships to avoid Iranian waters for safety reasons. That move reflects a broader strategy of protecting commerce while sustaining pressure on adversaries through credible force.

It also underscores why supporters of President Trump and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth insist on maintaining a rugged, capable fleet that can respond rapidly to shifting threats.

Supporters argue that the current approach strengthens deterrence by showing that America will defend its interests with a flexible mix of capable platforms. They contend that modern threats require a defense establishment that can adapt, not merely replace every legacy system on a fixed timetable. In that view, keeping the A-10 in the air and the LCS in the water demonstrates a pragmatic, fiscally responsible path to readiness.

Critics may have hoped these veterans would be retired, but the operational reality proves otherwise. Because the fighting environment on the ground and at sea continues to evolve, the ability to repurpose existing assets matters as much as designing new ones from scratch.

Therefore, the military’s ability to apply old tools to new problems is a testament to disciplined leadership and a clear strategic purpose.

At the same time, the broader debate about modernization remains important. A steady influx of new aircraft and ships will come, but the need for proven, reliable platforms does not vanish when budgets tighten. The current deployments show that a balanced approach can deter adversaries without abandoning what already works.

In this light, the Gulf deployments are more than a technical story about aging hardware. They are a message about American resolve and the willingness to adapt to a dangerous regional landscape. They reflect a philosophy that prioritizes readiness, deterrence, and the ability to project power where it matters most.

The coming months will test the equilibrium between legacy platforms and cutting-edge systems. Yet the ongoing use of the A-10 and the LCS in critical theaters demonstrates that both can contribute to a stronger, safer America. It is a reminder that leadership, not nostalgia, should guide defense decisions in a complex era.

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